Similarly to many other divorces, child support duties often figure into high-asset divorces.
Former professional basketball player and high-profile personality Dennis Rodman recently found out how seriously a court construes child support and timely payment of obligations, following his being found in contempt of court and ordered to pay $500,000 to his ex-wife.
According to the prosecution, Rodman intentionally underpaid the child support, but Rodman’s attorney argued that her client was not given proper information when the support amount was adjusted in 2010. Had Rodman known he was supposed to be paying more, he allegedly would have done so. Rodman was found in contempt of court in the past for failing to pay support in 2009 and 2010 — an offense for which he performed community service.
Georgia and other states, including California, where Rodman’s most recent legal problems are playing out, have laws that are closely similar in many respects when it comes to support payments for children.
In Rodman’s case, his attorney hopes to have the support ruling overturned, because Rodman was not present at a previous hearing and not properly served documents. His attorney also states that Rodman’s previous attorney missed a filing deadline prior to which Rodman could have challenged the initial order and sought to have it set aside.
Custody and visitation issues are still a concern for Rodman and his ex-wife, but attorneys for both parties are hopeful that any difficulties can be worked out before another court hearing on the matter, which is set for January 24 next year.
Source: ESPN, “Dennis Rodman must pay $500K,” Dec. 7, 2012
